Reply To: 3d generalist roadmap advice

[Jonathan Lampel]

Hi Bob Bob, I am loving the enthusiasm!

> 1. What should a comprehensive learning roadmap look like to master this solo cinematic pipeline?

I’d echo exactly what Grady said. It’s a huge number of things to learn, but it just takes time and practice. CORE and Sessions are great starts, and then from there just pick a project that interests you. At this stage, every project will have something new to learn from! So just enjoy the process and have fun with it, and focus more specifically once you feel you’re at more of an intermediate level. 

> 2. How can I objectively self-assess my progress to logically choose my next learning milestone?

You could go through each step of the process and give yourself a separate grade for each area. How was your modeling? Texturing? Materials? Lighting? Animation? Compositing? Pulling it apart like that will help you find which areas you may have glossed over and want to focus on more in the next project. You can also pick a focus per project, so maybe one is a modeling heavy project, the next one is more simple modeling but with more complex textures and materials, etc. and build up from there. 

> 3. Within this pipeline, which disciplines require a deep dive, and which can remain at a baseline level?

I’d deep dive on modeling and texturing first as they are the most foundational. A lot of people online might say lighting / compositing as a little bit can go a long way, but IMO modeling and texturing are way more foundational and, while harder, will serve you better in the long run. I’d only get into animation once you’re quite comfortable with those two. 

> To be completely honest, I am so overwhelmed right now because the overall 3D pipeline feels so massive that I have no idea what to focus on.

I remember feeling that way! And I think everyone who does 3D has had exactly this experience. But it’s just one small step at a time. Focus on modeling something you think is interesting, and when you’re satisfied with that get into improving your texturing, etc. It feels like such a slow process in the moment, but soon you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come 🙂